To help simplify and improve local navigation markings, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), in association with the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), has launched a new standard operating procedure.
The Special Unified Marking Scheme encourages aquaculture producers to install unified marking systems that provide a visual guide for anyone navigating a bay or harbour. The aim is to simplify the boundaries by incorporating all boundary marks into one scheme.
Previously each farm in a bay or harbour had its own marks indicating the boundaries of the site, often resulting in a large number of markings, making navigation more difficult. Unifying the sites under one scheme has the dual advantage of improving navigation of the harbour and providing efficiencies for the fish farmers.
Speaking at the launch of the new operating procedure, Jim O’Toole, chief executive, BIM said that getting producers to work together locally pays dividends. "An example of where SUMS has made a remarkable difference is Dungarvan Harbour. Working together we have reduced the number of markers to 10 poles and 11 small buoys, as opposed to the original proposed 160 poles, drastically reducing the visual impact and simplifying things for everyone," he said.
The project is co-funded by the government of Ireland and the European Union under Ireland’s European Maritime & Fisheries Fund Operational Programme for the seafood sector.
